Washington County
Missouri — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 68th
Washington County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 67.8, 68th national percentile), driven primarily by heat wave and cold wave exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $20M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Heat Wave | Medium | 10.89 / yr | $6M |
| Cold Wave | Medium | 1.37 / yr | $4M |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.01 / yr | $2M |
| Landslide | Low | 2.31 / yr | $11K |
| Strong Wind | Medium | 4.52 / yr | $831K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.48 / yr | $2M |
| Ice Storm | Low | 0.93 / yr | $93K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $50K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 0.86 / yr | $5M |
| Hail | Low | 4.69 / yr | $215K |
| Lightning | Low | 53.92 / yr | $140K |
| Winter Weather | Low | 8.68 / yr | $39K |
| Hurricane | Very Low | 0.02 / yr | $11K |
| Drought | Very Low | 2.54 / yr | $4K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Washington County?
Washington County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 67.8 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 68th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Washington County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Heat Wave (Medium, $6M EAL), Cold Wave (Medium, $4M EAL), Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Washington County compare to other Missouri counties?
Washington County ranks #31 of 115 Missouri counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Washington County's $20M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.